Seehofer’s Christian Social Union (CSU), the Bavarian sister party to Merkel’s ruling Christian Democrats (CDU), has been one of the strongest voices demanding that Germany close its borders and send back migrants with no right to political asylum.

His trip to Moscow, scheduled for Thursday, comes at a time of tension between both countries after a German- Russian teenager alleged she was kidnapped and raped by migrants in Berlin. Prosecutors said they had proof the claim was false.